Has "politically correct" killed the used audio market?

@tobor 007,

’If it’s old and damaged, you pay less. If it’s old, damaged, and vintage you pay more.’

Old and vintage (>20 years) mean the same thing but one carries more value and distinction.

Antique (>100years old) usually carries even more, but maybe not yet in audio.

Retro just seems to mean cheap. Maybe you could call it paying homage...

https://www.retrokids.com/blogs/news/what-s-the-difference-between-vintage-and-retro#:~:text=An%20it....


@lewkor,

’At each step of the journey toward socialism freedoms are lost so that we can "help those less fortunate".’


Yes, it’s all about shuffling freedoms around. Some will gain, some will lose.

Here in the UK we spend a quarter of our GDP upon welfare, yet many still complain it’s not enough. They seem to be blithely unaware of how the vast majority of the world lives.

Just who is setting this agenda, and why, are important questions we should be asking. Especially right now.


When it comes to selling language is important, but what’s wrong with honesty?

Before I sell anything I try to recall all defects and issues and highlight them in the wording.

That usually gives me peace of mind knowing then that the buyer is unlikely to be disappointed.

Whether it’s political correctness, marketing speak, or euphemism, blatant deception through words that attempt to to deflect or mislead are unlikely to deceive the experienced buyer.

It’s far better to work on presentation I feel. That reflects well upon the seller and also enhances the perceived value of the item for sale.

I particularly like those ads on eBay where someone goes to a lot of trouble to highlight a barely perceptible blemish.

Good for them. I like to think that enthusiasts of used audio have a higher than average sense of integrity.

@cd318 

When it comes to selling language is important, but what’s wrong with honesty?

Before I sell anything I try to recall all defects and issues and highlight them in the wording.

That usually gives me peace of mind knowing then that the buyer is unlikely to be disappointed.

Whether it’s political correctness, marketing speak, or euphemism, blatant deception through words that attempt to to deflect or mislead are unlikely to deceive the experienced buyer.

It’s far better to work on presentation I feel. That reflects well upon the seller and also enhances the perceived value of the item for sale.

I particularly like those ads on eBay where someone goes to a lot of trouble to highlight a barely perceptible blemish.

Good for them. I like to think that enthusiasts of used audio have a higher than average sense of integrity.

i tend to agree on all the above... especially the last sentence -- mostly but not always... and we all have the scars from being burnt those few, memorable times

@jjss49,

’i tend to agree on all the above... especially the last sentence -- mostly but not always... and we all have the scars from being burnt those few, memorable times’

Me too. I remember buying a portable Minidisc player whose built in rechargeable battery was doa, and a micro system that was ’lost’ in the post, but I think that’s about it. The micro system seller did offer a full refund with no issues.

Now when it comes to buying a car, or a house etc you’re in a whole different game of communication.

With private car sales I’d say look at the seller just as closely as you look at the vehicle.

With houses it’s best to look at written measurements rather than the photographs which seem to be taken with wide angled zoom lenses (as opposed to a more honest 50mm) in order to give an impression of greater size.

It’s strange how the concept of honesty has changed as our ability to manufacture image has increased exponentially.

With the cosmetics industry individuals are now able to transform their image to almost unrecognisable degrees.

There’s nothing intrinsically wrong with it but it’s probably better to acknowledge it rather than deny it.

As John Wayne, or was it Sean Connery, once said when questioned whether it was their real hair, "Yes, I paid for it myself."

@audio2design,

"In my yearly or every other year call with my cell phone company where I "negotiate" my rate, I tell them at the start of the call, this is my offer based on competition and their public offerings."


I tried to haggle last Feb with my car insurance renewal. Unfortunately, the guy on the other end wouldn’t budge and I hadn’t done the research to check whether the other quotes were like for like eg excess, courtesy car, breakdown cover etc.

It’s definitely a skill worth having, but you’ve got to also put the preliminary work in and tone down any sentiment.

One of my colleagues is particularly good at the business of haggling. She claims she saves hundreds of pounds with all of her various renewals.

Although she’s reasonably polite and friendly on the surface, if pushed she can also get pretty ferocious.

Me, I would start to worry whether the person on the other end of the phone, usually some kid, is having a good day or not. It takes a lot to get me mad, but unfortunately when I do, it also can take a lot to get me calmed down again.

The life and times of a passive-aggressive control freak audio enthusiast?

Well, as they say, life is a lesson. And there’s always the music.